Cruel But Necessary

"Cruel But Necessary" is an original experiment in micro-budget independent film-making. The opening scenes reveal how a suburban housewife called Betty discovers her husband's infidelity due to him accidentally recording a conversation with his mistress on the family video camera. After the couple's separation, Betty continues living at the family home with her monosyllabic teenage son, Darwin. She decides to document her chaotic life with the camera - this video diary comprising her monologues to the camera when alone, and occasions when she conceals it during meetings with friends and family. When Darwin blocks her attempts at communication, she hides the camera in his bedroom. By these means the camera becomes Betty's confidante and partner-in-crime.

Wendel Meldrum, who plays the central character, conceived the idea and wrote the darkly humorous screenplay. Her portrayal of Betty holds everything together at the center, while Saul Rubinek's direction of an excellent supporting cast complements her fine performance. The DVD comes with a rich selection of interviews and deleted scenes. "Cruel But Necessary" is the best kind of independent film-making - necessary even.